A team of psychologists from the University of Queensland in Australia examined why many couples feel dissatisfied with their relationships and life together. They proposed a six‑item program designed to increase satisfaction and help couples feel more complete and content. Their findings appeared in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, accessible via the APA PsycNet portal.
According to Professor Kim Halford and the research team, contemporary society now reassesses what it means to have a long‑term, fulfilling partnership. In earlier eras, loving one another might have sufficed; today, researchers argue that couples also pursue mutual self‑actualization. When opportunities for personal growth within the relationship are missing, couples can stall, and that stagnation often contributes to relationship strain or eventual separation.
Researchers describe thriving relationships as those in which partners stay emotionally close, maintain stability, and grow together over time. Such thriving depends on several core dynamics that partners can cultivate consciously.
The six foundational principles are meant to help couples move beyond stalemate. Foremost is the readiness to set clear goals and to work toward concrete improvements. Next comes regular evaluation of how effectively partners communicate and how well messages are understood. Expressions of love, support, and care are highlighted as essential to sustaining closeness. The program also emphasizes recognizing and valuing differences between partners and using those differences to the relationship’s advantage. In addition, it calls for a thoughtful assessment of sexual compatibility and preferences, while remaining adaptable to life changes and unforeseen crises. Together, these elements create a framework for ongoing development rather than a fixed, static union.
Five of the six points encourage continuous learning and growth as the default path for a prosperous relationship. To test the approach, researchers implemented the program with a group of 26 married women around the mid‑thirties. After conducting interviews and follow‑ups, the study indicated that adherence to the plan increased overall relationship satisfaction. Participants reported enhanced happiness in daily interactions with their partners and perceived personal growth as a result of the shared effort.
Beyond the core program, the research touches on practical moments when strong emotions arise. It offers guidance on recognizing when anger is part of a dynamic that can be managed rather than escalated, and on how constructive responses to anger can help sustain a relationship. The overall message is that relationship health is not a one‑time achievement but a continuous, collaborative journey that benefits from intentional practices and open communication.